Community Effort Since 2001
New rental homes at Villa Cesar Chavez located in Oxnard, California are part of our community's successful efforts to create farm worker housing. The Ag Futures Alliance Farm Worker Housing Task Force was established in 2001 to address the critical need for safe, decent and affordable housing for farm workers in Ventura County. Task force members include farmers, civic and business leaders, housing developers, realtors, farm worker advocates, educators, environmentalists, concerned citizens, representatives of elected officials, service providers, SOAR activists, representatives of the faith based community and representatives of financial institutions.
In June 2002, the task force produced a report, “Farm Worker Housing: A Crisis Calling for Community Action.” The report’s recommendations have been transformed into action! In January 2004, a Summit was attended by 300 people, half of whom signed up to support farm worker housing in their communities. In June 2004, the Ventura County Community Foundation provided a grant to fund a program, House Farm Workers!
Challenges Ahead
A host of challenges lie ahead for the Task Force, including the very high cost of land and housing in Ventura County and the lack of funding dedicated to this issue. Additional challenges include changing labor trends in the agricultural industry and community resistance to development of new housing units.
In 2004, California Proposition 46 provided $200 million in funding for farm worker housing. Most of these funds have been exhausted, raising concerns about future funding for housing units. Future success could depend on financial support from a housing bond measure Prop. 1C on this November’s ballot. Please see the additional information and consider supporting Prop. 1C.
Plans for 2006-2008
A house built by Peoples' Self Help Housing located in Piru, California is a good example of what can be done if we work together for affordable housing.- Resource Development: Insure the availability of funds to build an adequate supply of farm worker housing.
- Rehabilitation: Improve conditions within existing farm worker housing units.
- Agricultural Employer Engagement: Increase awareness, financial support and advocacy in the Ag community.
- Education: Increase broad awareness and support for farm worker housing among public officials, community leaders and the general public.